Page 62 of The Cottage on Pelican Bay

“I’m not sure Bellamy would have believed them had they told her. She trusted Sam implicitly. I think that’s what’s hurting her so much. Finding out that trust was not warranted, and he was undeserving.”

They stopped walking when a nice boat passed by and Levi waved at the occupants.

“Friends of yours?” Margie asked.

He smiled down at her. “Yes, that’s Ray Sullivan and his family. It’s a nice evening to be out on the water.”

“Ray Sullivan? I recall hearing that name somewhere.”

“You probably have. Ray owns the water-taxi service in Catalina Cove,” Levi said.

“That sounds nice for the cove.”

“It is. He’s had to purchase two more boats,” he said. “Would you want to take one with me over to New Orleans? I got two tickets.”

She paused, considering, and then said, “I would love to do that. It sounds like fun. Let me know when so I can make sure Dad will be okay.” She chuckled. “He’d probably be glad to see me gone for a while. He thinks I hover over him too much. I honestly don’t want to do that.”

Levi had a feeling that she did, but he didn’t see it as a bad thing. He thought someone wanting to take good care of a loved one as a good thing. “I’ll let you know the specifics when I get home and look at the ticket. Do you want me to call Mr. Chelsey’s landline at the house or would you feel comfortable giving me your cell number?”

“I have no problem giving you my cell number, Levi.” She pulled her phone out of her jacket pocket. “What’s your number so I can call you?”

He rattled off his number and when his phone rang in his pocket, she smiled and said, “There. Now we have each other’s number. You can call me anytime.”

He appreciated the invitation but knew that nothing had changed, and their relationship was still limited to friendship. “Thanks, Margie.”

“Good evening, Mr. Levi.”

Levi turned to the couple standing in front of them. He smiled when he recognized them. “Brody and Freda. How are you two?”

“We’re fine. Thanks for asking,” Freda said.

“I see we all had the same idea about taking a stroll along the boardwalk tonight,” Brody added.

“Yes, it’s a nice evening,” Levi said. He then introduced Margie. “This is my friend Margie Lawson. She’s Mr. Chelsey’s daughter. Margie this is Brody Dorsett and Freda McEnroe. Freda’s bakery supplies desserts to the Green Fig.”

Margie extended her hand and smiled. “I went to school with a Harold Dorsett, and I also recall a Fredrick McEnroe.”

“Our fathers,” Freda said, grinning.

Margie then turned sad eyes to Brody. “I was sorry to hear about Harold. He was a fine man. Dad used to tell me what a great job he was doing as fire marshal.”

“And it’s a job Brody is now doing,” Levi said, proudly. “I don’t think Catalina Cove would know what to do without a Dorsett as a fire marshal.”

“I can believe that,” Margie said, grinning. “And how is your mom, Brody? I went to school with Kate as well.”

“Thanks for your condolences, and Mom is doing fine. She’s finally retiring in September after working for Lacroix Industries for over thirty years.”

“That’s wonderful.” Margie glanced over at Freda. “If I recall, your father used to own a bakery. Right on this boardwalk. Sold the best beignets.”

Freda’s smile widened. “You have a good memory. Dad ran the bakery until his death nearly ten years ago. I had finished college and was living in Ohio. Mom closed the bakery and moved out there with me.”

“How is she?” Margie asked.

“Mom’s doing great, and once she got used to the Ohio weather she managed quite nicely and loves it there. I moved back to the cove and opened my own bakery. I’m hoping that one day she’ll move back here, but I won’t hold my breath for that to happen. She has her friends in Cleveland and says her life is there now.”

“I understand,” Margie said. “Moving back to the cove was certainly a big decision for me. But now I’m glad I did. There’s no place like home, especially when home is Catalina Cove.”

“I think a lot of us found that out and are glad to be back,” Brody said. “Well, I hope the two of you enjoy your walk. We’re taking the water-taxi service to New Orleans to see a play.”

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